Casual Cook

Cedar Strong; Hope; Hybrid; CAD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Cedar Strong Prevention and Intervention Society in Hope, BC, is seeking an experienced Casual Cook to provide on-call coverage for our shelter kitchen. Reporting to the Kitchen Coordinator, you will prepare nutritious meals, follow menus, and help with menu planning to meet dietary needs and stay within budget.

This on-site role requires flexibility, the ability to work independently or with the Shelter team, and maintaining a clean, safe kitchen environment.

Qualifications

• Current FOODSAFE certification or equivalent.
• Completion of a food preparation program focused on institutional or residential cooking.
• At least one year of recent cooking, kitchen, food-service, or related experience.
• Experience cooking for groups in institutional, residential, shelter, or community-service settings is an asset.
• Knowledge of safe food preparation, storage, sanitation, and inventory-control practices.
• Ability to plan menus and work within an established food budget.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and contribute to a team.
• Strong organizational, time-management, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to adapt to changing or unexpected circumstances during the workday.
• Training in trauma-informed practice, de-escalation, cultural awareness, wellness, or First Aid is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Develop nutritious seven-day menus based on recognized guidelines and dietary needs.
• Prepare and serve meals for shelter guests.
• Keep within the approved budget for food purchases.
• Purchase food considering seasonal availability, pricing, and donations.
• Maintain records of weekly menus, recipes, purchases, and donations.
• Maintain stock levels of routinely used products and monitor inventories.
• Rotate foods by best-before and expiry dates; store, prepare, and handle safely.
• Keep kitchen equipment and spaces clean, organized, and safe.
• Report equipment, maintenance, and safety concerns promptly.
• Support adherence to kitchen guidelines and organizational safety procedures.

Skills

Organizational skills

Time management

Communication skills

Problem solving

Independent work

Education

Food prep program (institutional cooking)

Job description

Work Schedules: This is a casual, on-call position with no guaranteed minimum number of hours. Shifts will be offered based on operational needs, employee absences, vacation coverage, and other scheduling requirements.

Applicants should be available to work a variety of shifts, which may include weekdays, weekends, mornings, afternoons, and evenings.

Hours: Variable, based on operational needs; no guaranteed hours

Anticipated Start Date: As soon as possible, on a mutually agreed date

About Cedar Strong

Cedar Strong Prevention and Intervention Society is a nonprofit organization serving Hope and the surrounding area. We provide client-centred housing, shelter, advocacy, education, and support services to individuals and families in our community.

Position Overview:

Cedar Strong is seeking an experienced and dependable Casual Cook to provide on-call coverage as part of our Shelter team.

Reporting to the Kitchen Coordinator, the Casual Cook prepares nutritious meals for shelter guests. The Cook follows established menus and may assist with menu planning to ensure meals reflect nutritional guidelines, client dietary needs, available resources, and the approved food budget.

The position also maintains a clean, organized, and safe kitchen environment; monitors food supplies and inventory; and works collaboratively with other members of the Shelter team.

Work Location: Hope, BC

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop nutritious seven-day menus based on recognized nutritional guidelines and the dietary needs of shelter guests.
• Prepare and serve meals for guests staying at Cedar Strong’s shelter locations.
• Ensure food purchases remain within the approved budget.
• Purchase food with consideration for seasonal availability, special pricing, and available donations.
• Maintain records of weekly menus, recipes, purchases, and food donations.
• Maintain appropriate stock levels of regularly used products.
• Monitor inventories of perishable and non-perishable food.
• Rotate food products according to best-before and expiry dates.
• Store, prepare, and handle food safely.
• Clean and maintain kitchen equipment, work surfaces, storage areas, and food-production spaces.
• Maintain a safe, secure, clean, and organized kitchen environment.
• Report equipment, maintenance, repair, and safety concerns promptly.
• Support adherence to kitchen guidelines and organizational safety procedures.
• Work cooperatively with Shelter staff and other members of the Cedar Strong team.
• Maintain professional boundaries and protect confidential information.
• Assist with the orientation of new cooks and practicum students.
• Participate in staff meetings, training, workshops, and special events as required.
• Complete other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Current FOODSAFE certification or an equivalent recognized food-safety certificate.
• Completion of a food preparation program focused on institutional or residential cooking, or an equivalent combination of relevant education, training, and experience.
• At least one year of recent cooking, kitchen, food-service, or related experience.
• Experience preparing meals for groups or in an institutional, residential, shelter, or community-service setting is an asset.
• Knowledge of safe food preparation, storage, sanitation, and inventory-control practices.
• Ability to plan menus and work within an established food budget.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and contribute positively to a team.
• Strong organizational, time-management, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to adapt to changing or unexpected circumstances during the workday.
• Ability to maintain respectful and professional relationships with shelter guests, coworkers, and community partners.
• Training in trauma-informed practice, de-escalation, cultural awareness, wellness, or First Aid is an asset.

Working Conditions:

The position works in a shelter kitchen and may work independently or alongside other employees, often with minimal supervision.

The role requires standing for much of the shift and performing physical duties associated with receiving, lifting, moving, organizing, and storing food and kitchen supplies. Cedar Strong will consider accommodation requests in accordance with applicable human-rights requirements.

The Cook may interact with individuals experiencing homelessness, housing instability, substance-use challenges, mental-health concerns, and other barriers. Respectful, non-judgmental, trauma-informed, and client-centred service is expected.